Nae’Qwan Tomlin Turns Heads, Jaylon Tyson Shines As Cavs Start Summer Run

Cavaliers two-way big man Nae’Qwan Tomlin might be playing his way into next season’s plans.

“He could be in our rotation next year,” Cavs coach Kenny Atkinson said during Thursday’s NBA TV broadcast.

And based on Tomlin’s Summer League debut, that doesn’t sound far-fetched.

The 24-year-old forward erupted for 30 points in just 25 minutes, showcasing an impressive blend of skill, athleticism and confidence. He opened the game with a pair of threes, bullied his way to the rim, and looked downright comfortable as Cleveland built a double-digit lead over the Indiana Pacers before falling 92-90 in Las Vegas.

Tomlin didn’t even start playing organized basketball until after high school. But he played Thursday like someone who belonged — not just in Vegas, but potentially on an NBA floor this fall.

At 6-foot-10 with long arms and mobility, he showed the ability to attack closeouts, glide past defenders, and finish with creativity and length.

Tyson in Control

Jaylon Tyson set the tone early, and when Craig Porter Jr. left with a hamstring injury, Tyson stepped into more of a lead guard role. He handled it well, running the pick-and-roll, finding Tomlin for clean looks, and knocking down a couple threes off the catch.

Tyson isn’t known as a primary distributor, but he looked the part Thursday. If nothing else, the Cavs now know he can handle those duties in a pinch.

Proctor and Niang Debut

First-round pick Tyrese Proctor had a mixed showing in his Summer League debut. He popped early with two clean catch-and-shoot threes, but struggled when asked to create against pressure in the second half. The vision is there, but the handle and decision-making under duress probably need work.

Second-rounder Saliou Niang was more consistent. He brought energy and effort off the bench, impacting the game with hustle plays and timely rebounds. His defense and activity helped keep the Cavaliers in front for much of the second half.

Pressure Builds, Lead Slips

Cleveland led most of the way, but without a steady ball-handler to close, Indiana’s full-court pressure flipped the game in the final minutes. The loss won’t mean much — Summer League is more about flashes than finishes — but it’s another reminder that strong guard play still matters, no matter the setting.

The Cavaliers will return to the court Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET. 

Mobley the MVP?

As an aside, Atkinson also discussed Cavs power forward Evan Mobley during the broadcast, saying he has some lofty expectations for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year.

“I don’t wanna put any pressure on him, but the truth is, in the next two or three years, he’s gotta be in the (NBA) MVP conversation,” Atkinson said.

Mobley, 24, was named Second Team All-NBA this past season.